AA
I'll make you a deal. Stop posting incorrect info like you (the APA) are pushing for a big raise in part to help the rest of the industry, or that you're ready to stand together with other union members, or like the line in this thread, "New APA resolution may reduce back dues" which, while not technically untrue, is at least a bait and switch idea. If you do this, I'll stop calling you on your posts.
The things we can agree on are:
The AA pilots have given back things from earlier contractual gains.
The management of AA has used their position to reap
unwarrented gains on the backs of the employees.
The pilots of AA should get, and will get gains in QOL and
pay in these negotiations.
Where we disagree is about the bedrock of the APA and their leadership. I look upon your group as a very self-centered, petty group willing to sell out the rest of the industry, or as in the case of the "B" scale, their own newer members.
I know that you believe that the "remove Supp CC" part of Capt. Hill's campaign platform was just wind to appease the radicals in the APA. The problem is that he used it, and it goes to show his mindset, in our minds about how we as former TWA pilots are viewed by the AA pilots as a whole. You are making an effort to change that and to bridge the gap, and for that you deserve accolades. My problem is that I'm bitter, I need to get over it. I just see no redeeming social qualities in the APA and feel that attitude needs to change before you can say you are working for the greater good.
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I see that you responded while I was writing this so I'll respond here.
You are not restoring anything in the industry. Period. You are engaged with your "unon" leadership in a purely selfish act to grab as much of the lost contractual gains that you can. For yourselves. There is no overriding greater good in your move. Good luck, really. The former TWA pilots that are along for the ride, members or not, deserve whatever you can get for them after what was taken from them over the last six years. I guess that I'd point to the flip flop on agency shop that the APA did in 2002 to show that they are not on strong moral ground here. A moral group would not need to force support, which by the way is what the APA line was before the change to force payment, if not membership. Yes, ALPA does the same but I know of at least one group that grandfathered non members so they still pay nothing after agency shop. I'm not defending ALPA national, they are just as complicit in all of this as the APA. I also don't want to work without a union, I have friends (yes it's true) at non-union carriers and they all are working with substandard work rules and pay, IMHO. I guess I'm hoping for that elusive union ideal where all the workers actuall work for the greater good instead of protecting themselves and ellicit the " it doesn't affect me, so I don't care about it", along with the "I got mine", attitude. Show me that at the APA, and I'll support you.
LTD
Former grievence committee member
Working toward the Ideal, Hoping you are too.